Darwin in a campervan

Hi Steve

Choose one! However with your Britz, you will be limited to the bitumen roads only, and will miss so much.

Kakadu alone took us a full week, just doing the V road in one way and out the other, without going to places on the road that run between. Some of this (such as track to Jimjim) was real 4wd stuff. Most places you'd get into if dirt roads don't breech you hire contract.

Litchfield was great - we spent three full on days there. If you want to spend a week somewhere, do this. Main places can be accessed by bitumen or easy roads, but some good spots need 4wd.

If you go to Mataranka, book in at Mataranka Cabins and Camping - right beside Bitter Springs (walking distance), and the pick of the hot springs. They shut the gates when they reach maximum number of rigs which isn't many, so either arrive early in the morning or ring the day before and book.

Douglas Hot Springs (parks camp) was a lovely spot. Good water on tap but no power though, but it is nicer than at the nearby commercial 'resort'. Soak in the desired temperature of hot water. One pool is very deep, or you can wallow in the shallows by the camp.

There are a number of parks and springs closer to Darwin worth a visit that we missed. Download the NY Parks brochures of the area and choose a few; easy to take a week and not see them all.

Motherhen

Hi Steve,

High on my list would be Litchfield NP and the Territory Wildlife Park for which I would set aside a whole day. Douglas Daly hot springs is also a pretty good spot but not sure about the condition of the access road.

Cheers,

Val

Agreed, don't miss the territory Wildlife Park... spend the whole day there. We always take all our visitors there and they always come away impressed.
regards,

"I am having a week in Darwin with my wife and have hired a Britz Explorer campervan, we hope to travel to Kakadu,Katherine,and down to Mataranka. "


" work commitments only allow one week"

Good luck...maybe take some time out to refresh/re-adjust life/work/family/holiday before you grow old.

Hi. I agree mostly with the others. But Litchfield is a bit overrated in my view, especially if you go there when half of Darwin is on a day trip too! But a round trip for a day is worth it.
Territory Wildlife is a MUST DO (allow half a day at least).
You may want to consider paying for a flight to Kakadu (we did a flight via the Falls (Jim Jim and Twin) landing at Yellow Waters for an afternoon cruise (tho dawn is really much better if you have the time).
You can drive to Adelaide River also while Darwin based.
If you go to Katherine, try to find time (overnight stay, perhaps) for Ningaloo NP (maybe a boat trip up the Gorge)
As others have said, Darwin itself is interesting (even tho I generally keep away from towns and cities when we are touring).
We had a week in Darwin a couple of years ago, and the time just flew!!
Enjoy!!

What ever you do , do not miss having a meal on Stoke Hill wharf after dark.
All of the rest are excellent but you will have to make up your mind on which one due to the time restraints.
M.

Hi Steve, Found your post very interesting - I have just booked a 4WD camper for travel out of Darwin for 10 days! All of the above has benefiited me as well!
Enjoy your trip & safe travels :)